The true meaning of repentance

Dear friends, Hello, everybody ! I was Tung-Chuan Yang pastor !
Once again, we come back to the road of faith thinking and sharing . Together with you today to discuss the basic Christian message is about repentance , to change the way an idea .

Christian message of repentance is emphasized that this is at the outset . In fact, preaching the Lord Jesus himself out when he started talking about that : " the kingdom of heaven , you have to repent . " In Greek with English " Bible " inside , repentance is the first word , and then said, because the kingdom of heaven Near, the date of full ...... these great apostle Peter with Paul , when they preach the gospel , are also spreading the truth commensurate with repentance . So repent of this lesson is the Christian faith from the outset . Quote a phrase used secular terms, this is a change . Repentance Greek, the word is in fact the life 180 -degree turn. In the past, the face of the world , his back to God ; now changed over, face to God , back to the world . This can be used to these , such as yesterday's dead ; after all , such as today's students, became a new person in the main inside . Old has gone , everything new has come . Therefore, this repentance , or we say about the change , must go through a few trips . In general, both in sociology with the medicine, the stress changes on the people , have to go through five stages .
The first stage, changes, or is aware of a state before . Well , most people who has little to do with religion , probably has been living in the changes, or ideas as before. Inside his heart is not ready yet , so you're talking about hype , the speaker for him was the Government's view , he is indifferent . Such people we must give them adequate time with the space and continue to pray for him , but we have to patiently wait for that moment to arrive. Time is not ripe for drilling results you will eventually have the opposite effect , even outside of their joining the ranks of the salvation . This is the gospel in our lives inside the process of learning experience. Therefore , this first stage is called pre- aware state . Is the meditation before , or the state of consciousness before .
The second stage, is already the state of consciousness . He used to not realize that the benefits of his Gospel , to a time , perhaps hearing to listen to more, or a friend a good witness , a neighbor, good behavior , or relatives , and parents caring for his heart by the very . Therefore, at this stage , is aware , aware of the benefits of the Gospel , to start generating interest , willing to accept the Gospel side of the communication . Therefore, this is the second stage. A former time had not come , he could not rise to his motives , so he is not aware of such a move , and now , they already have , with the discovery of perceived like this . However, he does not have any of the made decisions , there is no action. This is the second goal , from awareness to understand that this is a know state.

The third stage, preparation stage. This time, he already had decided , he is aware of this time had learned . But in the process, he has not decided to make any changes , just know that he felt were wrong in the present . Every catechumens friend to go through these three stages . May be long in front of the stage is pre- conscious action, and to the second stage there is understanding , with consciousness . Is entered again to the third stage, the third phase is a decision of the stage, I then on, keep up the evil sever the ties . This time may be started by the Holy Spirit , let him in my heart was deeply moved , he said that all the past , such as yesterday's dead ; after all , such as today's students . I never again gamble , and I were no longer smoking , and never again live in sin , and this is a preparatory stage.
The fourth stage , just said made decisions , but have not really started , and now the fourth time is a real action , this action is made aware of , have to understand , but do not buy cigarettes since then , and Will not drink wine , or no longer taking drugs , it has been the performance of such an action , follow-up action , this is very important. Then, the threshold beyond that of the catechumens for each friend request . Each seekers must come a time , open the door to his heart and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior . Since then , he can become a real couple . That is, " the Bible " says, can become a disciple of Jesus , also joined the lineup of gospel , joined the church members , willing Since then, a day way off . This is the " Matthew " Chapter 28, 19 - 20 sections: " Therefore go and make disciples of all people for me , on instructions from the Father , Son and Holy Spirit in the name of them to be baptized . all I have commanded you have learned They comply , I will always be with you until the end of the world . " Therefore , every seeker after such a threshold , a disciple of Jesus , baptized , and then follow the Lord, until the end of the world . This is a new generation disciples . Now, we talked about a change process, from awareness to understanding to the decision until some action , since then, it will become a Christian . However , there is one, is that we often overlook , or some of the mountain nine yards , lost by the wayside , stopped talking about this .

The fifth is a maintenance of , or participation in church life, a kind of appeal . Only with action and to faith , you must also true to maintain this lifestyle after . As a Christian, have already said , you have to plead guilty to repent , be baptized , then join the church, began to participate in fellowship of life , individuals have to bear much fruit , slowly in the concept of spirituality , spiritual gifts , The behavior of the growth , the step by step into the deep , and finally participate in the dedication of the church , prayer, spirituality to bear witness to play and dominated , leading people to Christ .
The life of the Church , which is what we call the sanctification of work . This proves that the process of repentance is not so simple , at least from the five stages , from awareness to understanding to decision to action , then that is to participate in , maintain , so the five stages , missing one essential. It was delayed on several stages in the past a lot of work . I have just mentioned the first stage , even people who wait until Qilaobashi before Christ, but rather lack of late do not you believe the Lord is come later , as long as you believed , then well, we very much welcome to join us , so This is the five stages of the process of change .
Let us further from a psychological point of view .
First, this is a change in life experiences of the process . But " the Bible " , this is a message of repentance . " repentance " We have many different word understanding , to say that repentance is not just admit it , admit , of course is necessary , but not admit people of all rewards with all through these five repentance . Because the world for the crime, the justice , for God will judge the ideas , the original is ambiguous , unless the Holy Spirit to start , we can not repent . So, just admit it is not enough . Although admit is the first element .

Second, repentance is not merely just a pious said . May sincere repentance , but repentance is not necessarily true . " Bible , " Simon spoke of sorcerers , he also believed in the Lord , he was still delusional money to buy the Holy Spirit . Some thieves after committing the crime , went to the front of the priest for confession , repentance , repentance , may come out later , he remains unchanged , then go out to commit crimes . These people have a pious heart, are not commensurate with the pious act .
Third, repentance is not just sad, that . Judah seller after the very heart of regret , sadness ; alcohol to drunk people may painful and sad the next ; those crimes suspects , but also because they were caught after the miserable, but , he sad that he 's been caught , Rather than the crime itself. Thus, regret not change , ultimately in vain.
Fourth, the repentance is not just wishing it . Former Hollywood movie , a TV series called " Honolulu Police ride . " I remember a police officer inside his tight lips are often a sign that said: "No deal . " those prisoners arrested by the police on a police wanted to bargain , but his first reaction often is "no deal " . Many deep problems , the burden on account of both God wants to wait until after the passage of time , he forgot . Wishing things to imminent , not real repentance .
Therefore, from the " Bible " point of view , the true meaning of repentance in the end what is it? English , " Webster " , said: " Repentance is the Holy Spirit in the heart, spirit and lifestyle of the big change. " This includes our knowledge , emotions and the will of big changes . Nicodemus visited Jesus at night , thinking he needs is a change ; the Samaritan woman to dissipation , a total of five husbands, she , her need is the act of power in her new life ; that What kind of reasoning would hold juvenile officer , but he needs the emotional , attitudinal change , otherwise , his last on the away sorrowful ; Cornelius the foreign officers , is a charity of the pious man , but he still needs to repent , Have eternal life , from love turned to love God and themselves; Philippi keeper of the prison , I heard an earthquake , but also mixed with poetry , his life had changed after the former arrogant Christine , have greatly changed the The attitude of Paul with Silas , but he does not understand the true meaning of salvation , so he needs is " Believe in the Lord Jesus, you and your family will be saved . " This is the knowledge of life changes .
Just now, we say that repentance is of knowledge , but also spiritual , and even major changes in lifestyle . Jesus with the lost sheep and a subtle analogy to explain the missing money, the real value of repentance : "I tell you , a sinner repent in heaven that likewise joy . " God is the lost pick back. But to be stressed that the necessity of repentance . Prodigal son story, the emphasis is listen to his words and deeds , and for the prodigal son repented confidence after the hold of joy and happiness . Therefore, repentance is to leave our current situation , into the arms of God , this is a great miracle ! If we are stuck in sin, but not full repentance ; if God gave us fall , not let us stand up ; if we can only immoral , but impossible to turn back ; if we had put a curse on the cross , as mocking the robber , and not Enter the park through prayer , our end is sad .
Christian what is it? This is the Gospel from beginning to end the spread of the truth that everyone must repent ! Sinners can repent have the peace of forgiveness , falling to stand up, the prisoners can be released, prodigal son may return to heaven.